Idyllic

The Tree House where we stayed was fantastic. Facilities were excellent and so cleverly designed to provide amazing views - even from the loo!

This room comes with a personal valet which is not something we would usually choose to have (seems far too decadent!) but was wonderful. Nyambe made sure our stay there was a delight and one we will not forget. He helped arrange visits for us, brought drinks to our room, dealt with our laundry and each evening served us dinner on our own private deck overlooking the Zambezi. Who would want to eat anywhere else?!

The activity managers were excellent at arranging the things we wanted to do - from swimming in Devil's Pool to helping us cross into Zimbabwe to see the falls from there. (Don't expect to have good views of the Falls in October from the Zambian side). It was an excellent place to stay at the end of a busy holiday - active but more relaxing and not as frantic as being on safari. It would also be an excellent place to begin a trip to Zambia and would be perfect for honeymooners.

A Luxury Lodge, Perfect For Chilling Out

Tongabezi was the perfect place to meet our two objectives:-a) a base for visiting Victoria Fallsb) a place to chill out after 8 days of being bounced around in a land cruiser on safari

The transfer from Kasane airport to Tongabezi was in itself an interesting adventure, and we were very pleased to be well looked after at each of the several stages. We received a very warm welcome when we arrived at Tongabezi, and our valet, Dadu, ensured that warmth remained for the duration of our stay.

Our cottage was comfortable and it's terrace provided a wonderful view across the Zambezi river, complete with a group of hippo most of the time that we were there.

Food at Tongabezi was excellent. We particularly enjoyed evening meals in the boathouse and on a sampan tethered to the jetty.

Our guided visit to the Victoria Falls was excellent, and we also enjoyed a sunset cruise. Tongabezi also offers a wide range of external activities that we did not take up as our objective was to relax.

Tongabezi review

Lovely place on the banks of the Zambezi. The rooms are very luxurious and spacious and the staff went out of their way to look after us. Isaac, our personal valet was charming and helpful as was Thomas in the restaurant. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and the whole ethos is to make guests feel pampered. The guides were very good. There is a certain lack of organisation manifest when trying to check out. However, Juliet, the manager is delightful and welcoming and provided a fantastic day room as we were leaving in the afternoon and they needed us to check out of our room - a nice touch not seen in many places.

Health and safety is excessive and intrusive - life jackets on every boat trip and indemnities to be signed in advance. Given the cost of the accommodation, it is a shame that entrance into the falls, game park and any transfers to non-Tongabezi activities were charged extra. The cost of the trip to Livingstone island - which is managed by Tongabezi - was pretty steep. I felt that the management were trying to extract every last dollar from guests. The activities manager was selling activities rather than offering experiences.

The food was mixed -sometimes excellent, othertimes less so. Quantities were very (over) generous with both lunch and dinner being 3 courses. There was a choice of main course but all came with multiple vegetables - one couldn't choose either content or quantity. Unfortunately I also got food poisoning.........

There is no atmosphere and very limited contact with other guests. It is more like a luxurious spa than a safari camp and could disappoint anyone who is there to see animals - except for rhinos which are not found in South Luangwa. However, it is a lovely luxurious place to stay when visiting the falls and to chill out at the end of a safari.

Tongabezi Lodge

We loved our stay at Tongabezi. The facility is breathtaking and our valet Japhet took very good care of us.

The service was friendly and efficient and our every need or desire was taken care of. It was so good that we were afraid the rest of our visit wouldn't be able to measure up but that turned out not to be a problem. I would recommend Tongbezi to anyone without reservation.

Tongabezi review

a great way to end with a rest at a beautiful locationworth doing the sunrise and sunset cruisesdefinitely recommend the 30 minute helicopter flight over the falls and gorge - what a thrillRaphael an excellent guide

Tongabezi review

Very impressed how we moved from camp to camp with no difficulties.

The staff were particularly helpful, especially as they helped us when we were looking for a particular item in the shops.

The only comment I would make about this leg of the trip was how comparatively expensive the activities were. While I realise you have no control over this it may be worth informing visitors of this fact.

Luxurious, relaxing and romantic Lodge

Location

Beautiful situation in Zambia overlooking Zambezi river. A little far from the Victoria Falls and we were not told that the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls were dry at this time of year. The lodge advised that the walk at them was not worthwhile.

Rooms

Well laid out with luxurious single houses with balcony and veranda. Nice room, bathroom with shower and bath. Fans, fridge and safe. Good bed with mosquito net. Subject to occasional power failures.

Service

Excellent with personal valet who ran bath for us.

Food

Good with nice variety. However it sometimes took a little long to arrive.

Activities

Excellent range but some were difficult to book - particularly the visit to Livingstone Island, the only way to see the Victoria Falls close up from Zambia. We did finally get on it and it was spectacular but t would probably have been advisable to have pre-booked from the UK.

The 30 minute helicopter ride over the Falls and through the gorges was expensive but spectacular.

The nearby wild life reserve has one of the few herds of White Rhino which we were lucky enough to see. The rest of the reserve is not worth driving round if you have come from other reserves/safaris.

The sunset cruise was pleasant.

Most activities are an "extra" at this lodge and we ended up spending a significant amount of extra money doing them.

Facilities

Good but the main emphasis is on romanticism and in this it succeeds superlatively. Private meals are available on your own terrace. A feature for us was the interesting nature of the other guests with whom we had fascinating conversations in the evening over drinks around the fire and over shared dinners.